BATAS said they violated the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act of 2016; DENR Administrative Order (AO) No. 1994-28, or the“Interim Guidelines in the Importation of Recyclable Materials Containing Hazardous Substances; and the Basel Convention on the Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal.

The questioned shipment originated from Korea and arrived on board the MV Cristina at the Port of Cebu on January 2, 2017. It was declared to contain 2,500 metric tons of wood chips and 2,500 metric tons of recycled synthetic resins.

Upon inspection by customs officials, however, the containers were packed with plastic heterogenous materials estimated to be worth P4.87 million.

The DENR’s AO prohibits the importation of such hazardous materials.

In another case, BATAS filed smuggling charges against Silver Crown Centennial Marketing Company, its owners, broker, and other co-conspirators who were involved in the illegal shipment of truck components.

The shipment from Korea, which arrived on board MV San Aurelio on February 9, 2015 at the Port of Davao, was declared as “used replacement parts for light trucks.”

However, X-ray inspection revealed various truck components and used tires and engines without the required Certificate of Authority to Import from the Bureau of Import Services.

The importers and brokers were charged with violation of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines, Department of Trade and Industry Administrative Order No. 8 series of 2003, or the Guidelines for the Mandatory Accreditation of Bus/Truck Rebuilding Centers, Letter of Instruction No. 1086 which prohibits the importation of used tires, and Article 172 of the revised Penal Code.###